Zacks Research Has Negative Outlook for AutoZone Q4 Earnings

AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO - Free Report) - Stock analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q4 2025 earnings per share estimates for shares of AutoZone in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, December 23rd. Zacks Research analyst L. Shahu now anticipates that the company will earn $52.95 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $53.90. The consensus estimate for AutoZone's current full-year earnings is $154.29 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for AutoZone's Q1 2026 earnings at $37.40 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $37.40 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $40.68 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $56.55 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $172.03 EPS and Q1 2027 earnings at $44.20 EPS.

A number of other research analysts have also recently weighed in on AZO. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $3,450.00 to $3,800.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Redburn Atlantic raised AutoZone to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 1st. Roth Capital upgraded AutoZone to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of AutoZone from a "buy" rating to a "sell" rating and lowered their target price for the company from $3,205.00 to $2,917.00 in a research note on Monday, October 14th. Finally, DA Davidson reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $3,025.00 price target on shares of AutoZone in a research note on Monday, September 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $3,384.89.

AutoZone Stock Performance

AZO stock traded up $41.25 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $3,283.48. 57,453 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 139,755. The firm has a market capitalization of $55.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.94, a P/E/G ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.71. AutoZone has a 52-week low of $2,510.00 and a 52-week high of $3,416.71. The business has a 50 day moving average of $3,177.30 and a 200-day moving average of $3,093.61.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, December 10th. The company reported $32.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $33.69 by ($1.17). The business had revenue of $4.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.30 billion. AutoZone had a net margin of 14.18% and a negative return on equity of 53.89%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $32.55 earnings per share.

Insider Activity

In related news, Chairman William C. Rhodes III sold 13,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,107.15, for a total transaction of $40,392,950.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 13,857 shares in the company, valued at $43,055,777.55. This represents a 48.40 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 2.10% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AutoZone

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its position in shares of AutoZone by 18.1% during the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 44,946 shares of the company's stock worth $141,717,000 after purchasing an additional 6,898 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its position in shares of AutoZone by 186.8% in the third quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 92,870 shares of the company's stock valued at $292,544,000 after buying an additional 60,483 shares during the last quarter. Verde Capital Management purchased a new position in shares of AutoZone in the third quarter worth about $1,137,000. Mizuho Securities USA LLC grew its stake in AutoZone by 592.0% during the 3rd quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC now owns 9,210 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,012,000 after acquiring an additional 7,879 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Asset Advisors Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in AutoZone by 44.9% in the 3rd quarter. Asset Advisors Investment Management LLC now owns 1,678 shares of the company's stock valued at $5,286,000 after acquiring an additional 520 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.74% of the company's stock.

About AutoZone

AutoZone, Inc retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. The company provides various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products.